Page 80 of Claim Me
At that, the alpha lets out an obnoxious laugh and raises his voice.
"Mr. Lowen, with all due respect, you are overestimating the respect your company commands. If anything, employers tend to frown upon those résumés. Many students apply for your internships only because there aren’t many companies offering similar learning opportunities, but the moment they find an alternative, that becomes the priority. Malden is at the bottom of the list. Nobody wants to work for you; they do it because they have to."
Blue starts to respond, still calm. "We don't force anyone to stay. They can always choose Welrun’s internships—"
The alpha cuts him off again. "Welrun pays even less, and you surely know this. And the two of you push smaller companies out of the market. People in this city have no alternatives. Our students are simply forced into your internships!"
"In that case, perhaps you should be more flexible in cooperating with colleges from other cities and help your students pay for housing there so they can attend internships inother states. I have read that you are unwilling to support them or arrange free dorm accommodations. It’s all on them."
Blue seems prepared for every argument.
The dean shifts uneasily. "The college is not a charity, Mr. Lowen," he mutters.
"Neither is Malden. But if Malden internships are such a problem, that would give them more options. Besides, we would all benefit, since only those who genuinely want to work for Malden would apply, which would certainly improve performance outcomes."
The alpha raises his voice again. "Would that even matter? You dominate half the major cities in this country. Malden Pharmaceuticals has branches everywhere, including in cities where our partner colleges are located."
Blue slightly furrows his brows, his expression cold and almost hostile.
"My company doesn't prevent anyone from entering the market. It is not my fault that other companies produce less competitive products, perhaps because the students you graduate and send there demonstrate a particularly poor work ethic—"
The alpha bristles and interrupts him again, which is becoming unbearable.
"A poor work ethic defines all of Malden!"
The alpha’s expansive pheromones are getting under my skin, and even though he's much older than me, well past forty and in his prime, while I am less than half his age, I find it harder and harder to tolerate as he keeps cutting Blue off.
"If that is the case, then what exactly are we even discussing? Do you even intend to coope—"
When he interrupts again, almost screaming, "Sometimes I’m embarrassed to even mention your company as an option for our students—!"
It’s too much.
"I suggest you lower your voice," I say in a firm tone. "You have interrupted Mr. Lowen four times. It is difficult to have a constructive discussion like that."
A heavy silence falls.
What I just did is crazy. This is a room full of scientists and academics, and a mere bodyguard dared to speak up and insert himself into their discussion.
What arrogance. The muscle actually has a voice.
The alpha professor cannot take it. He lets out a low growl and stands abruptly, turning to me, curling his lips.
In a split second, I am right in front of him.
My chest nearly presses against his.
A low, instinctive warning growl leaves my throat, resonating deeply through the room, answering his challenge and making it clear I will not hesitate to use force if he pushes further.
"Gentlemen," the dean says, clearly feeling obligated to intervene. "Can we behave in a civilized manner?"
"I will not tolerate the constant interruption of Mr. Lowen," I reply sharply.
"It is a normal discussion—" the dean begins, but the alpha cuts him off as well.
"Professor Montoya, we should not be discussing anything with him at all. Either he raises the internship pay or we withdraw from the agreement with Malden."
"I have a better proposal," Blue says suddenly, his voice like an ice spear.
